Chapter 11 - Montana Historical Society

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Expressions of the People Star Quilts In the late 1800s some church women in the Dakotas began teaching quilting to Sioux women on the reservations. The Sioux women particularly liked one quilt pattern called the star quilt. They associated the star quilt pattern with the sacred circle and the morning star—two powerful images in Northern Plains cultures. The Sioux adapted the craft of quilt making to their own traditions. They began developing their own star quilt designs using what scraps of fabric were available. They cut templates (patterns) for their quilt pieces out of tin or wood, and later cardboard or plastic oatmeal lids. They stitched important cultural symbols into their patterns. And they passed on their skills and knowledge to the younger women. Star quilting quickly spread across the Fort Peck Reservation. Each quilter learned the craft from her teacher— usually an aunt, grandmother, or close friend. But she had to develop her own creative ideas for pattern, color, and use of images or decorative items. A star quilter occasionally sold her work, but most quilts were made to give away. Women made quilts for marriages, births, and coming-of-age ceremonies. They gave them to soldiers leaving for war and to young men embarking on spiritual quests. FIGURE 11.23: This star quilt, made by Almira Jackson of the Fort Peck Reservation, is based on early Euro- American quilting traditions. Yet the quilter used her own design ideas to celebrate things important to her tribe: the morning star, the sacred circle, and the Indian tipi.
FIGURE 11.24: Creative use of stitching, fabrics, and ribbon make this red satin, war bonnet star quilt unique. It was made on the Fort Peck Reservation (maker unknown) and was presented to Governor Marc Racicot in the 1990s. And when a person died, a star quilt might drape the coffi n, wrap the body, or hang on the wall during the funeral. Over the years the star quilt has become a vital part of Northern Plains Indian culture. Because of their beauty and diffi culty, star quilts became the center of give-away ceremonies. Each quilt represents many days of detailed work. The Sioux and Assiniboine gain honor by giving away something of such value and traditional importance. Star quilts blend contemporary artistry with ancient traditions. By adopting a Euro-American art form and making it their own, star quilters have enriched Sioux and Assiniboine culture with creativity and vigor. FIGURE 11.25: Star quilts are often made to give away. This give-away took place in Poplar in 1934.
Page 1 and 2: FIGURE 11.1: Reservation Scene, by
Page 3 and 4: FIGURE 11.2: Confi ned to reservati
Page 5 and 6: “I Am Given Little Food” “We
Page 7 and 8: FIGURE 11.8: Blackfeet tribal membe
Page 9 and 10: FIGURE 11.11: Northern Cheyenne far
Page 11 and 12: “ There were dead horses everywhe
Page 13 and 14: “ It has become the settled polic
Page 15 and 16: FIGURE 11.18: Crow Indian policemen
Page 17 and 18: “ Our belongings were taken from
Page 19: FIGURE 11.21: This beaded bag, crea
Page 23: Credits The following abbreviations

Chapter 11 - Montana Historical Society

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